Kingston Technology KNE8TX/RS - Manual (Page 13)

8 Hardware Installation
Kingston Technology Company KNE24TX/RS User’s Guide - Rev. A01
Using a Straight-Through Cable
Using a Crossover Cable
Notes on MDI and MDI-X Ports
MDI (Media Dependent Interface) is the standard that defines the mechanical
and electrical configuration of a UTP port. For any two devices to
communicate with each other on the network, the transmitter of one device
must be connected to the receiver of the other device. This can be achieved by
using a crossover cable, or by using the MDI-X port, which implements the
crossover internally.
Ports 1 thru 7 (KNE8TX/RS), ports 1 thru 11 (KNE12TX/RS), and ports 1 thru
23 (KNE24TX/RS), like all normal hub ports, are configured as MDI-X. The
last UTP port has two (2) RJ-45 connectors in order to support both MDI and
MDI-X configurations for flexibility when uplinking to another Class
II
repeater using either cable type. All NICs (Network Interface Cards) and
Router ports are usually by default configured as MDI. A simple illustration
shows the relationship of cable types to port types:
Port
Connector
Port
Config
For Connection to
Another Hub Port (MDI-X)
For Connection to a Network
Adapter or Router (MDI)
MDI-X Use Crossover cable Use Straight-through cable
MDI Use Straight-through cable Use Crossover cable
Table 1. Port Configurations
Use the MDI-X port
when connecting to
a network card or
other MDI device. Use the MDI port
when connecting to
a hub or other MDI-X
device.
8 8 8 8
Use the MDI port
when connecting to
a network card or
other MDI device. Use the MDI-X port
when connecting to
a hub or other MDI-X
device.
8 8 8 8